Many of us are more than eager to sport some stylish headwear for the 2019-20 NHL season, and what’s more, it’s now possible to get yourself an Oakley Hockey Visor for the upcoming campaign.
What’s an Oakley Hockey Visor, you ask? It’s a trendy new look inspired by the iconic American shield brand, and it’s currently available for pre-order from the official website of the National Hockey League (the NHL).
As the name suggests, this new helmet features a design based on the company’s popular line of visors, which are also worn by motorcycle riders and other extreme sports enthusiasts. Since its inception in the 1920s, Oakley has been a leader in safety equipment for sports enthusiasts.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to install an Oakley Hockey Visor. We’ll break it down step-by-step so you can have it done accurately the first time, like a professional.
Table of Contents
The Goods
Let’s face it, not all protective gear for hockey is made equal, and there are some real gems out there that deserve a spot in your gear collection. The key to a good performance is in the details, and one vital detail that you need to take care of is fit. If a helmet doesn’t fit well, it can impair your safety and cause concussions. Luckily for you, we’re here to help.
This is where we come in. Below, you’ll find a comprehensive list of the essential items you need to get started with installation.
Invest In The Right Equipment
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and this especially rings true for hockey players. You don’t want to be pounding on the ice since the last thing you need is more injuries, especially since hockey injuries can be very debilitating. For that reason, it’s essential to invest in the proper equipment. This means having a helmet designed for hockey players, elbow and knee pads, and skates with the right blades. You’ll also need a whistle, a mouthguard, and a sports coat. All of these items are available for purchase online without having to go from store to store trying on different fits. You can find all of them in one convenient place.
The Tools
Once you have all your essential gear, it’s time to move on to the fun part—actually putting it on your head. For that task, you’ll need some basic tools such as a hand drill, a socket wrench, and a ratchet. You’ll also need a few more specialized tools, such as a phillips head screwdriver, an Allen wrench, and a pair of pliers. Don’t forget your sunglasses. You’ll need them to protect your eyes from the sun as you work. Finally, you’ll need a block of some sort to lay on as you work on installing the helmet. This is because the surface you’re working on can be very slippery, especially if it’s metal (like the inside of a car). A block will help keep your balance and keep you from slipping.
Step 1: Unsnap The Helmet
The first step in installing an Oakley Hockey Visor is actually removing it. For this, you’ll need to use a pair of pliers. Start by loosening the two screws that hold the helmet in place. Once those are out, you can easily lift off the entire protective head covering. This is a crucial step since you don’t want to risk hurting yourself on any gear that’s still fastened on your head. Once those are out of the way, you can set the helmet down on a table or an otherwise solid surface to remove the rest of the accessories.
Step 2: Set Up The Work Area
With the helmet off, it’s time to set up your work area. For this, you’ll need a surface such as a table or the floor. You don’t want to sit down while you’re working since that could lead to injuries. On the other hand, if you’re working on the floor, you’ll need some protection against injury in the form of a pad or cushion. You might also want to bring an extra socket wrench just in case one gets stuck during the process.
Step 3: Put The Cushion UnderNEEDED
The next step is to put down a cushion or a pad where you can safely work. We mentioned that not all protective gear for hockey is made equal, and this is especially true when it comes to the cushioning material. Some of the older cushions were made of foam that was too soft and didn’t provide enough protection. Since then, the industry has moved on to using materials like fiberglass that are much more durable. That being said, this is still a very vulnerable area of your body, and it needs protection. Just make sure that the surface you’re working on is safe and stable.
Step 4: Set Up All The Bases
While some people would do anything to avoid working on metal surfaces, there are situations where that’s just not possible. For instance, when installing an Oakley Hockey Visor, you’ll need to work on the base of the helmet because that’s where all the screws are located. The truth is, there’s no avoiding it—it’s either metal or plastic, and sometimes even those aren’t safe enough. This is why you need to be extra careful when working on metal surfaces, especially when heat is a factor (like when working on an engine). That being said, there are situations where that’s unavoidable—like when you need to drill a hole for a light.
Step 5: Use The Right Hacks
There are multiple ways to install a helmet, but it all comes down to which one is the most convenient for you. You might find some basic hacks that could come in handy such as using rubber bands, a bike helmet strap, or a shoelace to fasten it on your head. Then, there are more advanced methods that require you to drill holes, add grommets, or use zip ties. It’s best to find a tutorial or a how-to video on how to do it the right way so you don’t end up with any wrinkles or messy edges. These kinds of imperfections could lead to injuries when working on the helmet. Keep that in mind as you choose which hack to use.
Step 6: Drill The Holes
Once you’ve set everything up, it’s time to start drilling! Begin by using a hand drill to make a hole at the base of the helmet. Once you’ve made that hole, you can use a phillips head screwdriver to finish the job. It’s important to drill bit sizes and pitches to match the contours of the surface you’re working on. The idea is to prevent any chips or chunks from getting inside the opening where the light or radio would go. This would make the entire area around the light or radio no longer functional. This is also why you need to wear gloves while drilling—to prevent any damage to your hands from the sharp end of the drill bit.
Step 7: Assembling The Hardware
Now that all the holes are drilled, it’s time to put everything together. Once you’ve removed the inner pads and laid down the outer pads, it’s time to start tacking on the rest of the accessories. For this, you’ll need to use an Allen wrench to tighten the screws that hold the pads in place on the base. Make sure that you don’t overdo it and strip any of the threads. It’s also a good idea to mark the spot where you’ll be wrenching down so you can make sure that all the screws are tightened equally. Don’t forget about the helmet’s straps and the rear of the helmet where it connects to the base. These are also made of nylon and might get damaged if not enough attention is paid to them during installation. Once you have all the hardware in place, it’s time to tighten all the bolts again to make sure they’re securely fastened on your head.
Step 8: Test The Fit
Now that all the hardware is in place, it’s time to test the fit. For this, you’ll need to slide a piece of paper or cardboard under the helmet and see how it fits your head. Make sure that the helmet sits firmly on your head without any wiggling around or moving forward and backward. If there’s any room for improvement, take off the helmet and try again with a different size or shape. Once you have the fitment just right, it’s time to slide on the protective cover and enjoy your new fashionable headwear!
Common Mistakes
It’s a good idea to avoid making the following common mistakes when installing an Oakley Hockey Visor.